Leicester City is the only team in the top seven European leagues that hasn’t made a signing during this summer’s transfer window.
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In less than two weeks, the 2022–23 season will begin, and Leicester City faithfuls are faced with a scenario that appeared unthinkable as far as transfer business is concerned this summer.
But is everything hopeless? Yes, but in reality, no. A brief look at the Foxes roster will help you to make an educated guess about how they would line up if they fail to make any acquisitions this summer.
Why is Leicester City not signing any player?
“Other clubs would have to want the players,” Rodgers admitted when asked the aforementioned question. This means that Leicester City might not sign players if they are unable to sell.
And that is Leicester’s current issue in this transfer window: a dearth of real offers and interest in many of the players they would like to let go.
There have been inquiries—most notably for Boubakary Soumare and Hamza Choudhury—but it seems that Monaco and West Bromwich Albion have merely made loan bids. Many clubs still find it tough to sign players from Leicester’s excess in the post-COVID-19 market.
Although Leicester have received Atletico Madrid’s unwanted interest in Timothy Castagne, the Premier League side are poised to reject all proposals.
Youri Tielemans’ infatuation with Arsenal has not resulted in an offer, and Rodgers has stated he would speak with the Belgian international this week to discuss his status. The likelihood that Tielemans will stay for the remainder of his contract which will expire on June 30, 2023, is growing slim.
Ten players currently have one year left on their contracts, including Tielemans. According to current circumstances, Kasper Schmeichel, Caglar Soyuncu, Ayoze Perez, Daniel Amartey, Mendy Choudhury, Ryan Bertrand, Jamie Vardy, and Jonny Evans will all be available as free agents in the summer of 2023.
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The comparatively high wages of the Leicester team have turned away many would-be suitors, but some players, like Jannik Vestergaard and Bertrand, would rather stay and compete for spots.
The club has always supported Rodgers, who refreshed his roster by adding five players during the previous summer transfer window. He is aware that he won’t obtain it this summer, but given a large number of players with expiring contracts in 2023, his playing staff might change more naturally.
To develop his current players, Rodgers will at least temporarily rely on his coaching and personnel management skills.
“I want to have the strongest squad possible,” he said. “If that isn’t possible then I will work with the players we have and we will continue to fight and work the very best we can.”
Who are Leicester City interested in signing?
According to rumors in Italy, Leicester City “have an interest” in Bologna defender Arthur Theate. The 22-year-old only made a permanent move to Bologna last month after Bologna was required to buy him after a successful loan deal.
Apart from that, Leicester City have not been linked with any major target this summer. Interestingly, the Foxes need to make acquisitions as fast as possible if they are willing to compete strongly in the coming 2022-2023 season.
How did they perform last season?
With 52 points, Leicester City finished eighth last season, barely ahead of Brighton & Hove, who had 51 points.
With 56 points, West Ham United concluded the 2021–2022 Premier League season ahead of the Foxes.
With manager Brendan Rogers in charge, Jamie Vardy led the team with 15 goals, and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel ended the season with the most appearances for the team.
Leicester’s greatest loss came at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who defeated them 6–3, while their best victory came against Watford, 5–3.
Since they finished sixth last season, they will only play in the English Premier League and other regional cups the next season and not in any European competitions. Hence, they need to recruit to have a better chance next season.
